Monday, July 6, 2009

Private funding a great help for charitable bodies, says Chew


photo by CFL

Photo by CFL


Photo by CFL

The Star News Monday July 6, 2009

JOHOR BARU: Charitable bodies need donations from private organisations to sustain their operations as funds provided by the Government are not sufficient, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

“The grants given by the Government are definitely not enough and voluntary bodies have to use their own means to increase their funding.

“This is where private organisations can come in by hosting charitable activities to collect funds for them,” she said.

She said a total of RM7.5mil grants were given to 117 charitable bodies last year.

“However, that amount is only enough for their food bill, so funding from the private sector is very important.

“The target groups are children’s homes, old folks and the disabled,” Chew said at the launch of the Fifth Annual Charity Run organised by IOI Properties Bhd Johor Baru division, IOI Mall Bandar Putra Kulaijaya and Kulai MCA Youth here yesterday.


photo by CFL

Chew also urged the public to be more sensitive when it comes to the needs of the disabled.

“Every now and then we can see parking spaces that are reserved for the disabled being used by able-bodied drivers.

“This clearly shows disrespect and intolerance toward this group of people,” she said, adding that the disabled also had their rights.

IOI Properties Bhd senior general manager Simon Heng said that the charity run had been well-received.

“I am pleased that this year there are about 1,500 participants compared to last year’s 1,200,” Heng said.

He added that the group hoped to raise RM20,000 for disabled children from Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Terencat Akal in Johor Baru.

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